October 4, 2011 — The College of Arts and Sciences’ Kathleen Volk Miller was named one of Philadelphia’s top 76 Creative Connectors by Leadership Philadelphia. The full list of connectors can be found on the WHYY/NewsWorks website, along with a personal essay by Volk Miller that details her work as co-editor of the international literary magazine Painted Bride Quarterly and as co-director of the Drexel Publishing Group.

The list of leaders includes poets, musicians, theater directors and CEOs—all chosen by the general public. Surveys were sent out via the Philadelphia Inquirer and WHYY/NewsWorks.org.

“These 76 are the people most often cited by their peers for using art, culture, and design to build community and economic vitality,” wrote Elizabeth Dow, President of Leadership Philadelphia. "They are entrepreneurial professionals with an agenda for action. Though animated by highly personal visions, these connectors are committed to seeking common ground.”

Surely Volk Miller’s energy—and penchant for organizing awesome events—has helped land her among the city’s cultural leaders. Through her role with the Painted Bride (housed in the College of Arts and Sciences), Volk Miller orchestrates monthly poetry readings (now held at Perch Pub), a monthly Story Slam at the exclusive Pen and Pencil Club, and even the first ever Literary Death Match in Philadelphia, a duel of words and wit between four regional authors. [In case you missed the last one, you’re in luck: Volk Miller has organized another for November 7th at the World Café Live. Learn more here.]

An associate teaching professor of English at Drexel since 2005 and co-director of the Drexel Publishing Group, Volk Miller also works closely with student interns, educating them on writing, editing and publishing, and allowing them to become part of the Painted Bride’s democratic editorial process.

In August, she was asked to take on another role as a weekly blogger for Philadelphia Magazine’s The Philly Post. The offer came just weeks after a guest blog in the New York Times parenting blog got people buzzing. In her new blog, Volk Miller writes about life in Collingswood, her work at Drexel and with Painted Bride Quarterly, and the adventures of motherhood.

This willingness to share, to open her world, and to bring together students, fellow authors and artists, and the Philadelphia community, is no doubt the reason Volk Miller tops the Creative Connector list. Please join us in saying a much-deserved “Congratulations!”

To learn more about the events sponsored by The Painted Bride Quarterly, visit the PBQ website.

Interested in becoming an intern, partnering on an event, or just want to say congrats? Send Volk Miller an email at: kvm@drexel.edu.